John 13:21-30
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Reflection
In the upper room Jesus begins to feel the agony of his coming suffering, which will unfold later that same evening in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36–46). The Son of God is about to sacrifice his life for sinners, and he knows that it will begin with a heartbreaking betrayal (John 13:21).
It would seem that after spending several years with Jesus, Judas would have put his full trust in Christ, knowing that he was from God. But the sickness of sin in the human heart runs deep, even in Christ’s closest companions. Notice the stark contrast between Judas and John, the disciple who leans against Jesus’ side (v. 23). How do we make sense of these two responses to Christ? Only God’s grace can explain why any of us would turn from self and sin to put our confidence in Jesus.
Hebrews 12:25-29
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Reflection
The incredible privileges that Christians have received (see Heb. 12:22–24) are the benefits that come with Christ’s unshakable kingdom, and should produce a profound sense of gratitude within us (v. 28). The author closes the section with a sobering vision, urging us to offer an appropriate response to a God whose holiness and greatness should not be taken lightly. We are to worship him “with reverence and awe” (v. 28), living a life of total devotion to our great Savior, because our God is a “consuming fire” (v. 29).
The seriousness with which this section ends is a reminder to us that Christ’s grace was not cheap. The priceless sacrifice of God’s Son purchased forgiveness and eternal life for those who are willing to abandon their former life of sin and freely receive the gift of God’s grace. This does not give us permission, however, to live a life of casual sin and halfhearted commitment. It is an invitation and a calling to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:1–4).
Psalm 33:8
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
Though Jesus has become our friend (John 15:14), it does not mean that we should take him lightly. Most people would maintain a respectful and reverent attitude toward an earthly king, even if they were very close to him. How much more should we maintain a humble and reverent attitude toward God Almighty. Pray for a heart that understands how to live in a relationship with God that is worshipful, reverent, and full of awe (Heb. 12:28).